Festival in the Desert DVD

(World Village)

The Festival in the Desert has been called “Three days of peace, love and camels,” but that witty summation only scratches the surface of what this extraordinary, perhaps even improbable, recurring event has accomplished.  Held amid the blistering Sahara sands of Eskanane, Mali, the festival brings together Africans, Europeans and Americans for a long weekend of cultural exchange, this time (January 2003) highlighted by phenomenal musical performances by Tinariwen, Lo’Jo, Oumou Sangare, Tartit, Ali Farka Toure and Robert Plant (yes, that Robert Plant) with Justin Adams.  Interviews with performers and organizers place the Festival in the Desert – this was the third such – in proper context. 

-- Jeff Tamarkin